Tigers are back after 80 years. A historic moment in a Kazakh reserve

Last Saturday, a male Amur tiger named Amur was released into the wild in the Ile-Balkhash Nature Reserve. The animal came to Kazakhstan in May this year, along with three other individuals. Before being released, Amur stayed in a specially prepared adaptive enclosure, where he underwent a number of veterinary examinations and behavioral tests.

Experts assessed its condition, hunting skills and reactions to the presence of humans. After successfully passing all tests, Amur was equipped with a collar with a GPS transmitter, thanks to which his movements and behavior are constantly monitored by specialists.

Already in July, a female named Umit, which means "hope" in Kazakh, was released into the wild. Umit quickly adapted to the new conditions - the female's first prey was a wolf, and a few days later she hunted a wild boar. Hunting successes confirm that the process of adapting to life in the wild is successful. Like Amur, Umit wears a collar with a GPS transmitter.

Two young Amur tigers were also brought to Kazakhstan. For now, they remain under the care of specialists who take care of their health and development. The decision to release them will be made only when they reach the appropriate age and pass the necessary behavioral and health tests.

Tigers are back after 80 years

Kazakhstan was once home to Caspian tigers, which inhabited the area until the mid-20th century. The last representative of this subspecies was observed in 1948. However, genetic studies have shown that the Amur tiger is very closely related to the extinct Caspian tiger. It was this genetic proximity that allowed the launch of an ambitious reintroduction program aimed at returning these predators to their former territories.

The Amur tiger, also known as the Siberian tiger, is one of the largest representatives of its species. Adult males can weigh up to over 250 kilograms, and their thick fur and layer of fat provide excellent protection against harsh climatic conditions. In the wild, Amur tigers occur mainly in the forests of the Russian Far East and northeastern China.

According to estimates, there are only 700-750 individuals left in the wild today, making this species one of the most endangered in the world.

International cooperation for nature conservation

The Amur tiger reintroduction program in Kazakhstan is carried out in cooperation with Russian scientists and international nature conservation organizations. The long-term goal is to create a stable, self-sustaining tiger population that will be able to breed in a natural environment.

There is also a special group in the Ile-Bałkhash reserve whose task is to prevent conflicts between predators and residents of nearby towns.